A charming widow in her 70s married a factory manager and raised his children.

Chapter 49 Want to Make Some Money

Zhuang Qingxiang's appearance at the dormitory building in the family compound attracted the attention of many people.

Sun Yongxian, who had taken leave early and returned home, was waiting for her downstairs. Upon seeing her, she quickly waved and said, "Sister Zhuang, over here."

Zhuang Qingxiang smiled at her and handed her the bag in her hand: "This is for you, I made it myself."

"Thank you, Sister Zhuang!" Sun Yongxian accepted it with a smile. "Let's go to my house."

Turning her head, she spat fiercely at the people around her who were brazenly staring at Zhuang Qingxiang: "What are you looking at? Aren't you going to make lunch? Are you that free?"

Zhuang Qingxiang looked at Sun Yongxian with envy.

She has never had the courage of Sun Yongxian in either of her lives.

Zhuang Qingxiang was in a daze for a moment, then suddenly realized why she didn't have that kind of courage.

Because she had always been living under someone else's roof!

"Sister Zhuang? What are you thinking about?" Sun Yongxian gently tugged at her arm when she saw that she looked confused.

Zhuang Qingxiang smiled and shook her head: "It's okay, let them see if they want to. It's not like I'll lose a single hair."

Sun Yongxian smiled and gave her a thumbs up.

When they got home, Sun Yongxian felt a little embarrassed: "Sister Zhuang, my home is small, please don't mind."

How could Zhuang Qingxiang possibly look down on it? She was too envious to even think about it.

If only she had her own room, she wouldn't have to live under someone else's roof, and she could decorate and tidy up the room as she pleased.

After putting the child on the bed, Sun Yongxian couldn't wait to open the bag that Zhuang Qingxiang had brought.

Inside were two items wrapped in kraft paper. Zhuang Qingxiang explained to her, "These are rice cakes and sweet potato brittle, which I made myself."

She smiled a little shyly: "Please don't mind."

How could Sun Yongxian possibly be disgusted? She couldn't wait to try each one and took a bite, so excited she almost shouted.

"It's so delicious! My goodness, I've never seen anything like it before! Sister Zhuang, how are you so amazing?"

Zhuang Qingxiang blushed slightly, embarrassed by the praise, and asked, "You really think it's delicious? Then... then do you think it could be sold for money on the black market?"

"Yes, definitely," Sun Yongxian said confidently. "Sister Zhuang, do you want to do business on the black market?"

Zhuang Qingxiang was silent for a moment, then whispered, "I just want to earn some money to make a living."

Zhuang Qingxiang was well aware of the current policies; doing business was considered speculation. So she only wanted to secretly sell a little to save some money so that when Director Lu no longer needed her, she could find a way to rent a place to live in the county town.

Money is hard to earn, so we need to plan ahead. In any case, we can't go back to the village.

Sun Yongxian was a kind-hearted person who often went to the black market in the county to find some of her favorite foods, and immediately offered to help.

Zhuang Qingxiang felt that she owed Sun Yongxian more and more favors.

But she has no choice but to repay this favor later as she has two children to raise.

Now that Sun Yongxian likes to eat, she'll cook more delicious food for her.

Zhuang Qingxiang was having a great time with Sun Yongxian, but the atmosphere was rather so-so with Lu Congyue.

When Lin Wei and her daughter arrived at the Lu family home, they discovered that the Lu family's nanny was not home, and the food Lu Congyue served them was just the cafeteria food, with only a plate of cucumber salad being something Lu Congyue had prepared himself.

Such a simple, careless approach—even the most composed Lu Li couldn't help but frown.

"Director Lu, where is Comrade Zhuang? Isn't she home preparing lunch?" Lin Wei couldn't help but ask.

"She's responsible for taking care of the child, not cooking. It seems she went out for lunch today," Lu Congyue said casually, then invited the mother and daughter to sit down and eat.

Lin Wei retorted, "What kind of talk is that? She's the nanny you hired. Shouldn't taking care of the children and doing housework be her responsibilities? How can she not do any work and just go out to play?"

"Weiwei, this is a matter for Director Lu's family, so keep your mouth shut!" Lu Li frowned and scolded.

Lin Wei pouted, looking aggrieved.

After a quick lunch, Lu Li asked, "Xiao Lu, when is Comrade Zhuang coming back? We came here specifically to apologize to her."

Lu Congyue directly stated that he did not know.

Unable to get any information from her, Lu Li took Lin Wei and left.

As soon as they left Lu Congyue's house, Lin Wei complained, "Mom, now you know how awful Zhuang Qingxiang is, right? Knowing we were coming today, she didn't prepare anything and even hid away..."

"Shut up!" Lu Li snapped. "Can't you see that? If Lu Congyue hadn't backed her up, would she dare to do that?"

Lin Wei was stunned for a moment, and then her eyes reddened as she pulled Lu Li aside, asking her to help her think of a solution.

Luli said with a stern face, "Swallow your tears! Look at you, so pathetic!"

"mom……"

"Don't call me Mom! How could I have given birth to such a useless piece of trash?! I've taught you so much, and you can't even handle a man! I haven't seen what that guy surnamed Zhuang looks like, but he's definitely cunning. When have you ever seen Lu Congyue protect a woman like this?"

Lu Li grew angrier and more worried. She steeled herself, grabbed Lin Wei's hand, and said, "Weiwei, there's something else I need to tell you. You have to marry Lu Congyue as soon as possible. Even if you can't marry him, you have to get pregnant with his child first!"

Lin Wei was stunned: "Huh? Why?"

"Never mind why, if you want to marry him, you have to listen to me!" Luli pulled her along and walked quickly home.

She can only stay for a maximum of four days, and two days have already been wasted. This matter must be resolved within two days!

Zhuang Qingxiang stayed at Sun Yongxian's house for a whole afternoon. She took her two children and left when Sun Yongxian and Shi Peiran were about to go to work.

She naturally attracted many scrutinizing glances along the way, but she pretended not to notice and walked back without looking to the side.

Just as they were getting close, they ran into Lu Congyue.

"You're back." Lu Congyue said, then naturally took the child from her arms. "Did the baby fuss?"

"No, they are very sensible and easy to take care of," Zhuang Qingxiang replied, gesturing to her son who was on her back.

Of all the children she'd taken care of, these two were the easiest to manage, especially Cheng Lin. He wouldn't cry when he woke up; he'd just play by himself. When Xiao Donghua woke up and started crying, he'd cry a couple of times to let her know they were awake.

Even when we go out, the two little ones don't cry or fuss; they just chat for a while and then go to sleep.

Back home, after putting the child on the kang (a heated brick bed), Lu Congyue said, "There are some leftovers from lunch, I'll just eat the leftovers for dinner."

After giving him his instructions, he went to work. Zhuang Qingxiang went to check on the outer room and the kitchen. Lu Congyue had already washed all the dishes and chopsticks he had used, leaving her with nothing to do.

In response, Zhuang Qingxiang said that Director Lu's future wife will definitely be very happy, as few men can do that.

In the afternoon, Zhuang Qingxiang started making sweet potato crisps again. This was at Sun Yongxian's request, as they always had to bring more when going to the county town, and the crisps were easier to carry than rice cakes.

The day after tomorrow, Sun Yongxian will take a day off to go to the county town.

Zhuang Qingxiang was filled with anticipation.